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President of the newly formed National Parent Teachers' Association of Jamaica (NFTAJ), Sylvester Anderson, is encouraging parents to get more involved in the daily operations of schools. He said that while parents have a duty to ensure that their children attend school, they must also play an integral role in what is happening in the schools, through membership and participation...

The Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) has forged an alliance with the Postal Corporation of Jamaica (PostCorp), which will enable commuters to purchase smart cards at eight post offices in the corporate area and St. Catherine. The locations are the Central Sorting Office, Cross Roads, Hagley Park, Liguanea, Meadowbridge and Windward Road and the General Post Office in Kingston and...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Lands has engaged in the construction of two Greenhouses for the hydroponic production of strawberries, tomatoes and lettuce, at a cost of $2 million. Hydroponic production refers to the process where plants are fed nutrients by a piping system, and crops are grown without soil, in a medium such as perlite, gravel or coir. Speaking...

The Ministry of Health has streamlined the process for screening patients before they travel to Cuba for eye surgeries under the Jamaica/Cuba Eye Care Programme. This move is part of the agreed plan of action by the eight-member delegation, led by the Minister of Health, Horace Dalley, which visited ophthalmology centres in Cuba in June, where Jamaican patients are receiving...

Director of Research at the Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC), Hugh Taylor, has said that there was no evidence of widespread price gouging on the part of textbook retailers. Mr. Taylor, who was addressing a press conference held recently at the agency's headquarters in Kingston, to reveal the results of a textbook survey, said that while the general cost of books...

Members of several alumni associations representing primary, secondary and tertiary institutions in Jamaica will meet tomorrow, (August 26), to share ideas on how the groups can undertake joint projects to benefit schools in Jamaica. Under the leadership of the Jamaica Diaspora Advisory Board representative for the Southern United States, Marlon Hill, the group would convene at the Florida Atlantic University...

New Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General, Ransford Smith, has pledged to work to strengthen the ability of the Commonwealth Secretariat to enhance the socio-economic progress of member states. "I expect to contribute to the excellent work that the Commonwealth has been doing in assisting developing member countries, as well as ensuring that the entire Commonwealth family is fully and effectively a part...

A community cultural tribute honouring the birthday, life and legacy of the late cultural icon, Louise Bennett Coverley (Miss Lou), will be held on Friday, September 8, at the Sierra Norwood Calvary Baptist Church in Miami. Under the patronage of the Consul-General, the event will celebrate Miss Lou's birthday, and remember her legacy, according to Norma Darby, Director of the...

Technical Director for the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA), Dr. Michael Coombs, is urging Jamaicans to pay much more attention to the development of healthy lifestyle practices, such as an effective daily exercise programme. Speaking to JIS News, Dr. Coombs said that in support of his call, the SRHA would be staging a 'Walk for Health Day' on Wednesday, August...

The Ministry of Health has said that an outbreak of dengue fever was likely to occur during this year's Atlantic hurricane season and has urged that Jamaicans take extra precautions against the disease. Medical Entomologist in the Ministry, Sherine Huntley, explained to JIS News that, "dengue fever is a viral disease transmitted to humans by the aedes aegypti mosquito". She...

Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Senator A.J. Nicholson, yesterday (August 23), signed a contract with Illuminat Jamaica Ltd. for the supply and installation of computer hardware for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Valued at $27.87 million, the computerisation project is being fully financed by the Government of Jamaica, through the Ministry of Justice. In his...

The town of Port Antonio in Portland is slated to benefit from a major upgrading of its water, sewage and drainage facilities, under a government of Jamaica and European Investment Bank-financed project. The Port Antonio Water, Sewage and Drainage Project, which is set to get underway in November at a cost of 39 million Euros, will provide improved water supply,...